Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen had attempted putting in place a local module on the border of Jodhpur-Nagaur districts last year, a chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency has claimed.

Terror outfit Indian Mujahideen had attempted putting in place a local module on the border of Jodhpur-Nagaur districts last year, a chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency has claimed.

One of IM’s most notorious members, 20-something Mohammad Tehseen Akhtar alias Monu had visited Jaipur and Jodhpur in June last year and had procured SIM cards on fake documents.

Akhtar, a native of Samastipur district in Bihar, is suspected to have gained some local sympathisers but the efforts to set up a module lost steam after the arrest of Yasin Bhatkal, one of the founders of IM, in August last year.

The NIA chargesheet hinted that IM was planning to expand its base in Rajasthan.

“There are vital clues that efforts were made to set up a module in Jodhpur and its surroundings areas. Akhtar alias Monu was assigned this job along with Waqas a native of Pakistan,” an ATS official said.

“Akhtar visited Jodhpur and Jaipur but there is no confirmation about formation of such module. It may be because efforts could not materialise after Bhatkal’s arrest”, said a senior official of Rajasthan anti-terrorism squad (ATS) seeking anonymity.

Waqas alias Javed alias Ahmad, in his mid 20s, posed himself as student to acquaint with locals. Savvy with computers, Waqas often visited cyber cafes but investigations so far have not found his local links.

According to ATS sources, Akhtar and Waqas were close confidants of Bhatkal and were trained in Pakistan to carry out terror activities. After Bhatkal’s arrest the NIA alerted the ATS following which posters of Akhtar, Waqas, and Haidar Ali alias Abdullah were pasted at all public places across the state.

The NIA has also announced reward of Rs 10 each on the trio.

“We are in touch with NIA and investigation to trace local links of the trio is on” said Additional director general of police (ATS) Alok Tripathi.